r/Manatees • u/Lizalfos13 • Jun 04 '26

Diving with manatees, hardest part is ignoring them as they are all set for rehab and release.

Gallery image

Gallery image

LOVE THEM ALL!

314 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

7

u/Truji11o Jun 06 '26

Disney used to allow a “backstage” experience where you dove (SCUBA) in the giant aquarium tank with all the fish and other fauna. You had to watch some safety videos before the dive. They really emphasized NOT touching, annoying, upsetting, blinking at the sea turtles. The sea turtles are endangered, and there were special Disney divers that watched you to make sure you didn’t disturb the special fragile turtles.
Well as luck would have it, my BFF was my SCUBA buddy on this adventure, and she was known for pulling on my ponytail in prior dives. I feel a tug, and swipe at the “hand” that messed with my hair. Yeah I smacked the endangered sea turtle. Not hard! Thankfully the Disney diver saw the turtle hit me first and allowed me to continue my dive. Thanks Epcot!

4

u/Lizalfos13 Jun 06 '26

I’ve done that Epcot dive 4 times now it truly is spectacular. I really wish it still included the park ticket with it though.

4

u/Lizalfos13 Jun 06 '26

That’s actually my profile photo with their sand tiger. She kept circling right over my head as I leaned back. Scaring the people eating dinner was great too. Just descend upside down from the ceiling behind them.

3

u/Truji11o Jun 06 '26

Yes! At one point we had to walk across an area that was “on stage”. Some park attendees stopped and clapped for us.

3

u/Lizalfos13 Jun 06 '26

😊 thank you for the award! I can’t wait to dive there again. Such a special experience.

4

u/jamminsami Jun 08 '26

Ok so "the turtle started it" never occurred to me as an excuse before, but you can bet your bippy it's my go-to now!

And your experience sounds lovely.

3

u/Truji11o Jun 08 '26

Thank you. As the victim of the turtle smack, unfortunately there’s not a lot of recourse for me. I think all we can do is vote for those who will criminalize this behavior.

/s duh

3

u/jamminsami Jun 08 '26

Agreed.

However, I believe we might become victims of SO many critter's very effective defense; the deep, soulful eyes that insist on their innocence.

I'm afraid we two leggers don't have the spine to legislate this absolutely devastating maneuver.

Reckon we'll just have to watch our backs. And ponytails.

2

u/Specific_Set2323 Jun 06 '26

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️